Burning Flames

Problem Scenario

I will be burning two kinds of candles. A red one and a white one. I will see what ones burn faster.

Broad Question

What burns faster, White candles, or red candles?

Specific Question

Does candle color affect burning time?

Hypothesis

I say that the White candle will burn the fastest because there will be less color to burn. The red will burn slower because there are more colors added.

Graph of Hypothesis

Variables

Independent Variable:

White Candle
Red Candle

Dependent Variable:

Burn Rate

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

Flame

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation

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General Plan

My general plan is I will have to different candles, a white and a red one. I will light them and start my clock. two stopwatches will be going at the same time. I will measure the times and see what ones burn faster or slower or at the same rate. I will record my data in my lab notebook.

Potential Problems And Solutions

the flame could blow out and I will have to restart

Safety Or Environmental Concerns

There is fire and the candle can get tipped over or blow over.

Experimental Design

(add the correct headings from the experimental design page before beginning)

Resources and Budget Table

Item	Number needed	Where I will get this	Cost
White Candles	2	Yankee Candle	10 (12 in a pack)
Red Candles	2	Yankee Candle	10 (12 in a pack)
Lighter	1	Home	FREE
Poster Board	1	Staples	2.39

Detailed Procedure

1) Go buy 4 candles, 2 white, and 2 red candles.
2) Go home and set the 4 candles up where nobody can ruin or move the experiment.
3) Light the candles at the same time.
4) constantly record your data.
5) only light one red and one white.
6) when the first one burns out record the time.
7) do the same for the next one.
8) repeat the procedure with the next 2 candles.

Diagram

Photo List

burning candles (white and red)
melted wax (white and red)

Time Line

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Data Table

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Data Analysis

All Raw Data

See Data above

Graphs

Conclusion Graph.

Photos

Results

The white candle took longer to burn and the red one was slower.

Conclusion

While doing 3 trials of burning white and red candles. While doing the experiment, it showed that the white candle took longer to burn then the red candle.the background research says that the white candle reflects the heat and takes a longer time to burn. My hypothesis says that the white candle will burn faster because there is less color to burn. Later, doing my background research, I realized that white candles reflect the heat instead of burn faster.

Discussion

In the process there was some ups and downs. While burning one of the red candles, my younger sibling blew it out the candle thinking it was his birthday. I should of kept it faraway. I found out that white candles reflect heat and red ones burn way faster. If I could change or add any colors, I would add different colors and maybe some of the same colors but different scents to see if that would change anything.If I had a hypothesis for that, I would think that the candles will burn on how strong the scent is. I could of improved my science fair project by adding more colors and different sizes for all.
There were no real patterns in the process of burning the white candles or red candles. Some of the times were crazy and way different then what I though. It was still in the range I thought, just with some of the white candles it felt a little hard to believe. My hypothesis was almost backwards. If only thought that the red burns faster and white reflects heat. I never knew until this science project.
This experiment was good because what if you power goes out? What candle will you have that last longer? you want the biggest and longest lasting candle so while you know a bad storm is coming, just think, what candle will burn faster. White or Red. I promise you will be lucky you read this. All of this information can be used so you don't waste battery power when you have good, big, long-lasting candles that could get you throughout the night.

Benefit to Community and/or Science

This could benefit the community by saving battery power, and using long-lasting candles instead. when it says white candle reflects heat, it really does

Background Research

Research says that the white candles will burn the slowest and red will burn the fastest. Research says that if you are doing all colors that green will actually burn the fastest and red will be the slowest (as I predicted). Candles used to and still are very popular. Candles are mostly used for decoration, scents, light, and many more. They are also used for fine dining. The most common wax in a Candle is Beeswax, Soy wax, and some gels (not explained). Candles are made with all natural substances. Some. If you have scented candles they do have a chemical for the amazing smell. Candles are biodegradable. The beeswax is, and so is the candle itself! An candle wick is just braided cotton wrapped in the beeswax so it is easier to burn.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle_wick
http://www.candles.org/about_faq.html

Abstract

What I did for my experiment is I, burn 6 candles. 3 White Candles, and 3 Red Candles. What I wanted to see is, what candle burned faster. It shows that I was wrong on my hypothesis, but later doing some background research, that I knew I was wrong when I realized what I did.